Locally Grown gets off to a solid start

Members of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band - bassist Brad Babinski, guitarist Kyle Divine, and vocalist/keyboardist Dustin Apodaca - pose for a quick photo while watching Two Guns Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. Later that evening, Apodaca announced he would run for Anaheim City Council. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

For the second time the Grove of Anaheim is currently presenting its Locally Grown concert series, featuring acts of various genres from Orange County and Long Beach. Dusty Rhodes & the River Band, said to be calling it quits after one last tour, along with the Fling and Two Guns kicked off the four-week program (plus special-event encore) Thursday night on the venue's patio entryway, and though the crowd was small – starting with a couple dozen attendees but building to 120 or so – it was mighty in spirit. Clearly those who came were stoked to be there.

Headliner the River band, who early this year took home three OC Music Awards at the Grove, continues to be a trip; you can hardly find a more mixed bag of musicians on stage. The wildly entertaining sextet from Anaheim dwarfed the outdoor set-up once all of its equipment was situated – keyboards, guitars, violins, mandolins, drums, bass, accordions and who knows what else.

Vocalist and keysman Dustin Apodaca – who mentioned he's running for Anaheim City Council (but was he serious?) – joked about the crowded space before the band went into a cover of The Weight by the Band.

"You're in for a real treat here," he shouted, almost mock-preaching, to the excited crowd. "But I can't rock out too hard – I might die. This stage is a little scary, I'm not gonna lie."

It's a shame to hear that the River Band is planning on packing it in, as the quirky, energetic outfit has chops and strong songs that can seamlessly transition from toe-tapping Americana and '70s-inspired rock to an almost gospel-soul sound. After hearing The Weight, I was really hoping for House of the Rising Sun by the Animals – this band could have totally pulled that off.

In March at the OCMAs, Dusty Rhodes & the River Band, whose disc Palace and Stage was nominated for best album, won for best rock, best country/Americana and best live band. Its self-titled (and apparently last) collection, featuring new recordings of previously released material plus a few new songs, came out July 15.

The Fling, an indie-rock quartet from Long Beach, also delivered a stellar performance bolstered by amazing, spot-on harmonies. Vocalist Dustin Lovelis has a distinct voice (and a pretty sweet moustache); one minute these guys rock out like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the next they're stirring up a more ambient feel in the vein of Pink Floyd.

From the heavy moodiness of Friend of Mine to the more bouncy Out of My Head (totally reminiscent of an Oasis anthem), the audience was really into it. Both of those tracks will be on the Fling's new album, When the Mad Houses Appear, due online on Aug. 31. The band is throwing a release party for it Aug. 27 at Spaceland in Los Angeles.

Two Guns, another outfit from Long Beach, opened, its song Land and Sea – in which vocalist Kevin Poush coos like young-nerdy Elvis Costello sans the thick brimmed glasses – one of the night's highlights. But The Yellow Book was my favorite; it's a sweet sounding song with slight stalker undertones in which Poush sings "I'll turn you into my valentine." The frontman shared after the show that it has been used on the season finale of MTV's Jersey Shore.

"I didn't see it when it aired but I remember my phone blowing up that night," he told me. "They played it after they had this huge fight on the show and someone stormed out – and then you hear the intro to the song. That was kind of weird."

Two Guns will have a new disc, Far People in Far Places, out by the end of the year. The band is working with producer Matt Wignall, who also oversaw January's Behave Yourself EP from fellow local act Cold War Kids.

Infectious pop/hip-hop trio Blok headlines Locally Grown on Aug. 12 ... rockabilly group the Sugar Daddys top the bill on Aug. 19 ... and acclaimed local stars the Union Line appear on Aug. 26. All shows start at 8 p.m., $10, all ages, free parking. The series will conclude Sept. 18 with Reel Big Fish, Suburban Legends and more. Stay tuned for more details on that gig.

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Members of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band - bassist Brad Babinski, guitarist Kyle Divine, and vocalist/keyboardist Dustin Apodaca - pose for a quick photo while watching Two Guns Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. Later that evening, Apodaca announced he would run for Anaheim City Council. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band perform Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dustin Apodaca of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band rocks out Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Huntington Beach resident Audrey Huynh and Anaheim local Anna Ko get ready to watch Dusty Rhodes & the River Band Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Michelle Stauffer, Anna Gordon and Tamara Alexander - friends from Yorba Linda - came out early Thursday evening for the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert with Dusty Rhodes & the River Band. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Visitors from Corona - Jack Snyder and Marlissa Atilano - came out early to watch Two Guns and the Fling Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brothers Chase, 15 and Nick, 18, came from Santa Monica to see Dusty Rhodes & the River Band perform Thursday at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Long Beach residents Sarah Gerhart and her son, Bryan, were excited to see Dusty Rhodes & the River Band perform Thursday evening for the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Guitarist Justin Roeland performs with the Fling Thursday evening at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Long Beach act the Fling performs Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Two Guns opened for the Fling and Dusty Rhodes & the River Band Thursday night on the Grove of Anaheim's patio. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band perform Thursday night on the patio at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band guitarist Kyle Divine takes over lead vocal duties during the band's Thursday night performance at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
More friends of the Fling - Long Beach residents Kara Green, Meghan Sullivan and Brittney Tharaldson - stick around for Dusty Rhodes & the River Band Thursday night on the Grove of Anaheim's patio. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Kevin Poush of Long Beach band Two Guns performs Saturday evening on the Grove of Anaheim's patio as part of KROQ and OC Weekly's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Visitors from Dallas, TX - Emily Strouse and David Bohannan - get ready to watch Dusty Rhodes & the River Band THursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band guitarist Kyle Divine (left) shows the 'Locally Grown' sign with this band's name on it to his 3-year-old son, Hendrix, before performing Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Two Guns frontman Kevin Poush poses for a photograph after performing Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dustin Lovelis of the Fling rocks out Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Wyatt Miller and Sarah Hall, friends of opening band the Fling, have fun between sets Thursday evening at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dustin Lovelis, guitarist and lead vocalist of the Fling, poses for a photo after performing Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Andrea Babinksi performs with Dusty Rhodes & the River Band Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band perform Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brad Babinksi performs with Dusty Rhodes & the River Band during the group's Thursday evening performance on the Grove of Anaheim's patio. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Andrea Babinksi performs with Dusty Rhodes & the River Band Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dustin Apodaca of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band rocks out Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dustin Apodaca of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band smiles at his audience Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tustin residents Allison Izon, Stefan Kehlenvach and Allison Peale get ready to watch Two Guns Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Santa Ana residents Kristi Peterson and Derek Sahagun hang out on teh Grove of Anaheim's patio Thursday night for KROQ and OC Weekly's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Friends of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band - Chino Hills resident Kambria and her sons, Karson and Kollyn - pose in front of the band Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dustin Apodaca of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band takes a break from keys to play the accordian Thursday night during the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band perform Thursday night on the patio at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band perform Thursday night on the patio at the Grove of Anaheim. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dustin Apodaca of Dusty Rhodes & the River Band makes a speech to the crowd Thursday night at the Grove of Anaheim's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band headlined on the patio at the Grove of Anaheim Thursday night for the kick-off of KROQ and OC Weekly's Locally Grown concert series. DAVID HALL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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